Jessica Ridgeway search shifts to Superior after backpack, water bottle found

By John Aguilar, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
10/07/2012 02:12:30 PM MDT

Police are keeping all non-residents out of the neighborhood near Andrew Drive and Alpha Court, where a resident reported finding a backpack that had a water bottle with Jessica Ridgeway written on it on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (John Aguilar / Daily Camera)

Jessica Ridgeway

The search for missing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster has shifted to Superior this afternoon after a resident reported the discovery of a backpack with a water bottle that has the child's name written on it.

A Superior resident e-mailed the town's listserv shortly after 1 p.m. today with a message bearing the subject line "Children's Back Pack Found." The message reads: "Found this morning on the side walk at Andrew Drive and Alpha Court. Water bottle has 'Jessica Ridgeway' name on it. Come and get it."

Law enforcement officials confirmed the message about the bottle has been passed along to the Ridgeway search team, and police have now closed roads around that area to all non-residents. Officers can be seen searching trunks of residents' cars going into the neighborhood.

On Twitter, Westminster police officials this afternoon said they are "working on a developing lead" and have asked the media to stay out of the area while they use tracking dogs.

Westminster police have asked the press to meet their spokesperson in the parking lot of the Target store at U.S. 36 and McCaslin Boulevard in Superior. A press briefing is expected at 4 p.m.

As she was waiting in a line of cars to get home, Christine Wiedinmyer said the original tip was e-mailed by one of her neighbors, and she, too, saw the backpack on the sidewalk around 8:15 this morning as she was headed out. She said it didn't really strike her at first because there often are children's bikes or toys left about in the neighborhood.

She said her husband currently was being interviewed at their house by FBI agents because he, too, saw the backpack.

Norm Zrubeck, who lives in Spanish Hills off South Boulder Road, was turned away by police when he tried to drive into Rock Creek in Superior to watch the Broncos game with his son.

"They said, 'You can't go in the neighborhood because of an investigation,'" Zrubeck said.

Of the possibility that the search is connected to the missing Westminster girl, Zrubeck said, "I hope they catch whoever did it or it helps in her recovery."

Police, bloodhounds and volunteers have been working to find the girl, who disappeared after leaving her home in the 10700 block of Moore Street Friday.

On Saturday, more than 800 volunteers searched through muddy fields in chilly temperatures as they examined every open space in the surrounding neighborhood.

Jessica's mother, a night shift worker, told police she last saw her walking toward school Friday morning. She reported the girl missing later in the afternoon when she woke to find a phone message saying Jessica hadn't arrived at Witt Elementary.

No evidence points to any family involvement, officials said. Jessica's father attended a child-custody hearing in a Missouri courtroom on Friday and police don't believe the custody issue is related to her disappearance.